Leyland Cypress

Leyland Cypress

Leylandii is frost hardy and can be grown in almost any weather. It maintains its evergreen color throughout the year.

For the best quality and affordable leylandii for sale, feel free to contact us

Cultivating Leyland Cypress

Leylandii hedge plants often stands out when it comes to conifer hedging, but with a very good reason of course. This hedging plant comes with many benefits to a landscape, securing a place in the most popular hedge plants.

Why you should grow a Leyland cypress hedge

The dense foliage, fast-growing rate, and hardy nature are just but a few traits that make the leylandii conifer a fantastic garden hedge. Here are few reasons why you should grow this plant:

• Leyland cypress makes a great choice for people who want a fast growing tree. It has a growth rate of 91 to 152 cm per year
• The plant grows large enough to offer the screen and privacy you are looking for. By growing 609 to 762 cm wide and 1219 to 1828 cm tall, they will completely shield your home from the prying eyes.
• Although leylandi is a fast-growing species, it requires little maintenance. You only need to prune twice a year to retain the height and shape
• Because of its high resistance to disease and pests, Leyland Cypress is a popular hedging plant for any landscape
• The plant also absorbs noise from neighbors and motorists, giving you peace of mind as you enjoy the sounds of nature instead of the party down the street or traffic
• The plant has dense, evergreen foliage which makes a fantastic windbreak while reducing air pollution
• Leyland cypress is available in different heights and root types. This means that you can plant all-year-round and attain the desired height instantly
• Pot grown Leyland Cypress can be grown at any time of the year. However, it is best to avoid frosty and very wet conditions as this may damage the plant’s roots
• They are also pretty. Their deep green hue and feathery foliage make them an amazing choice. Christmas tree farmers love growing this plant because of their beauty and fast growing nature. You will often hear people asking “which evergreen variety that looks like the giant Christmas tree is good to plant?” and Leyland Cypress is definitely the option for that
• They have an immediate impact on a landscape and can be used to create tall privacy screens and boundaries in no time
• When you buy leylandii for hedging, birds will thank you as the dense foliage provides the perfect shelter for many birds in the UK
• It also improves the value of your property. Properties with large trees like Leyland Cypress in yards and gardens can sell for a higher price when compared to homes without trees
• It also has health benefits. Leyland cypress produces Cypress essential oil which is full of healthy elements. The plant also has many medicinal and therapeutic benefits and can act as respiratory tonic, antiseptic, aromatherapy agent and more.

When is the best time to plant Leyland Cypress?

Late fall is considered the best time for planting deciduous trees since dormancy eases the planting stress of the trees. Since conifers like Leyland cypress don’t go through the winter dormancy period, there is no need to delay planting until the ground becomes cold

Leyland cypress establishes and grows better if planted when the soil is still warm. The ideal time would be in early autumn or late summer. This gives the plant time to develop the roots before winter.

How to plant Leyland cypress

1. Choose a planting area that receives as much light from the sun as possible. Leyland cypress grows well in direct sunlight although they can tolerate partial shade
2. If you are planting as a standalone, space them at least 152 cm away from the nearest shrub or tree. For a hedge, you will need to plant 2 to 3 plants per meter, but of course, depending on your preference. You can even plant them at 457 cm apart but it will take a longer time for them to form a thick screen at that spacing distance. It is important that you plant the shrubs closer when planting as a screen
3. Dig a trench twice as wide as the clods. Make sure that you remove any grass around the trench to prevent the growth of weed. You can use a herbicide to kill grass and other weeds before planting.
4. Place the clod into the trench. Loosen the soil around the root system so that the roots can penetrate easily into the soil. Add topsoil to the trench for added nutrients
5. Don’t plant the tree’s main root stem too far from the ground level as this can lead to rotting or decay. Plant the Leyland cypress in a way that the top of the root system is about one centimeter below the top of the soil
6. Backfill the soil into the trench and gently press on it with your feet to secure the tree in place
7. Water the plant until the soil is wet. Continue watering the plant as needed to keep the soil moist for the next 3 months or until the roots are fully established. Avoid over-watering. If you are not sure, it is better to underwater the plant than add too much water

Tips

• Trim the Leylandii hedge in early spring to keep it in shape
• Don’t over-fertilize as this can worsen the symptoms of canker
• Provide the young plant with enough water until it establishes

Spacing

If you are growing Leyland cypress as a hedge, you need to plant 2 to 3 plants per meter. The spacing should depend on one main factor: how quickly you want the plants to form a hedge.

At a spacing distance of 2 to 3 plants per meter, the plants will grow into a beautiful hedge in about 2-3 years. The cupressocyparis leylandii hedge will improve in height and thickness over time. At spacing distances over 91 cm, it could take more than 3 years to achieve a thick hedge.

Care & Advice

It is important that you prune your leylandii when it is still young to encourage growth and minimize ice and snow damage. Regular pruning, watering and fertilization help to keep the trees healthy and able to tolerate insects, stress, and diseases.

Established and mature Leyland cypress should be fertilized with organic-based micro and macronutrients to sustain their health.

Being a fast-growing tree that can easily outgrow a small surrounding, pruning is recommended to improve or preserve the structure, lifespan and vigor of the tree. Pruning also reduces certain structural problems in a tree to reduce the risk of failure.

Diseased, broken or dead branches should be removed to prevent the growth of fungi. You also need to remove live branches occasionally to increase exposure to sunlight and improve the circulation of air in the canopy. This is very important in reducing certain diseases.

Pests & diseases

There are several pests and diseases that affect this hedge plant. The most common include:

Seiridium canker-This disease forms canker on the trunk and branches causing dieback. Pruning the diseases parts can help to stop the disease from spreading. Cercospora Needle blight-This fungal disease starts in the lower crown and spreads outward and upwards. It is characterized by browning of the needles, usually in October and November. Other pests and diseases include juniper scale, root rot, minute cypress scale, bagworms, bark beetles, spittlebug, and cypress weevil.

Pros

• Fast growth-leylandii doesn’t take a long time to grow and become functional
• They offer excellent screening and privacy-leylandii tree grow big enough to hide and muffle the sound and sight of nearby road or obscure your neighbors
• Physical barrier-The plant has thick foliage and branches that make it difficult for intruders to access your home. It is also an effective windbreak
• They are beautiful-The plant has dark green, feathery foliage, which makes it very popular among Christmas tree growers
• They increase the value of your property- Properties with large, mature trees in the grounds usually sell for more than those without trees. A beautiful leylandii hedge will increase the value of your home

Cons

• Doesn’t grow well in wet soil
• Despite their fast growth, they don’t form a dense hedge immediately

Conclusion

leyland cypress trees are among the most popular conifers sold today. The beautiful green color that the plant holds throughout the year is also very attractive. They make beautiful hedges that shield your garden from prying eyes, noise and pollution from the surrounding environment.

Although the species is fast growing, you have to be patient. Feel free to contact us today for the best quality leylandii trees for sale. We have leylandii plants from 60/80 cm up to 175/200 cm. We will also advice you on how to grow a Leyland cypress hedge